Joanna Allen Simonsen, 89, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.
Joanna was a graduate of The College of William & Mary and Christopher Newport College. She worked at the Newport News Shipyard and was a Tax-Aide Volunteer with AARP. Joanna married the love of her life, James R. Simonsen “Bob”, on November 10, 1962, at the Wren Chapel on the campus of William & Mary.
Joanna grew up as a member of Hilton Presbyterian Church and was a faithful member of Grace United Methodist for over 60 years. She was a member of both the vocal and hand bell choirs, served for many years as church treasurer and was active in the United Methodist Women.
Joanna was a member of the Merrimac Dog Training Club and served as an adoption coordinator for the Southeastern Virginia golden retriever rescue. She was active in the Republican Party, participating in elections of local Newport News council members, VA Governor, John Dalton, US Senators, John Warner and Paul Trible.
Joanna was preceded in death by her parents, Lula Marie Brown Allen and Earl F. Allen; her brother, Glenn Edward and her husband of 47 years, James Simonsen. She is survived by her children, James R. Simonsen, Jr. “Jimmy” and wife, Christine and Anne White, and her husband, Emmit, all of Yorktown; grandchildren, Molly Giberson and husband, Chris of Smithfield, Joshua White and wife, Katelyn of Yorktown, Joel White of Yorktown, Miranda, Norah, Landon, Chelsea and Mallory Simonsen of Yorktown; great-grandchildren, Jude and Calum Giberson, Carter and Mabry White; sister, Carole Ferro of Yorktown, sister-in-law, Joyce Neilsen of New Port Richey, FL and many nieces and nephews.
The family requests memorial donations be made to The Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk or The Wounded Warrior Project.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 16, 2024 at Grace United Methodist Church. Interment will be held at a later date at Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery.
